Creating a new garden
With a new house block you have a clean canvas on which to create the garden of your dreams. It’s so important to get it right from the beginning, and all it takes is a little planning so you can enjoy a garden that is tailored exactly to your needs for many years to come.
Preparing a plan
Draw up a plan of your block, measuring it with a long tape measure. A scale of 1:100 will suit most gardens. At this scale one metre of garden is represented by one centimetre on the plan.
Note and mark on the plan any existing features on the block, such as shrubs, trees or sheds and other structures you might want to retain. An easy approach is to run strings across the block at one metre intervals, then defining what features are in each square.
Mark the positions of undergound cables and pipes, the main water supply stop tap and meter, gas pipes and meter and overhead cables.
Take note of the aspect of the house, particularly the direction of north which is the source of sunlight in the southern hemisphere. Also note the position of shadows cast by the house on the south side, and by fences and adjoining trees and buildings. This information will guide the selection of plants and help locate the various garden functions.
Take note of the slope of the block to determine underground drainage and to help plan retaining walls.
Once you have the basic elements down, this plan has many uses. Make copies or tracing paper overlays on which you can prepare separate planting, irrigation and construction plans.
Note and mark on the plan any existing features on the block, such as shrubs, trees or sheds and other structures you might want to retain. An easy approach is to run strings across the block at one metre intervals, then defining what features are in each square.
Mark the positions of undergound cables and pipes, the main water supply stop tap and meter, gas pipes and meter and overhead cables.
Take note of the aspect of the house, particularly the direction of north which is the source of sunlight in the southern hemisphere. Also note the position of shadows cast by the house on the south side, and by fences and adjoining trees and buildings. This information will guide the selection of plants and help locate the various garden functions.
Take note of the slope of the block to determine underground drainage and to help plan retaining walls.
Once you have the basic elements down, this plan has many uses. Make copies or tracing paper overlays on which you can prepare separate planting, irrigation and construction plans.